Carlos Santana Finding Groove With Bat (+)
PITTSBURGH — Carlos Santana’s first season with the Pittsburgh Pirates began without much to show for at the plate, but that has started to change.
Santana, who turned 37 on Saturday, celebrated his birthday by reaching base four times — three singles and one walk — and driving in a pair of runs in the Pirates’ 11-5 loss to the White Sox.
The two RBIs give Santana at least one RBI in each of his last three games and five in total over that span.
“This guy’s a professional hitter, he knows what he’s doing…The consistency of his at-bats are always good but we’re seeing him start to take really good swings,” manager Derek Shelton said.
The last three games have been productive for Santana at the plate. Over that stretch, Santana is hitting .500 (6 for 12) with a double, two home runs, five RBIs and three walks.
“It was a good game for me. For me, I’m preparing everyday and help my team the more I can,” Santana said. “I feel good. Swinging at my pitch, that’s why (I’ve made) good contact the last couple games.”
Santana has a key role in the Pirates’ offense through the team’s first eight games. He has served as the club’s cleanup hitter in each one of those eight games to start the season.
Hitting behind Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen, who have all been getting on base at a high clip, Santana should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs moving forward.
In his recent games, Santana has been cashing in. The Pirates’ offense will be relying heavily on the services of the veteran switch-hitter to do damage against opposing pitchers.
If the last few games are a sign of things to come, Santana and the Pirates could be in a good spot moving forward.
So far, Santana has proved to be a strong free agent addition to a club that needed a veteran presence as he is.